What if you could find all the resources you need to make your research project a real success? It’s now possible with the IMS Library, with 578 different compounds in stock and ready to be targeted!
What exactly is the IMS library?
A collection of chemical compounds designed for use in pharmaceutical research, the IMS library has become an indispensable tool in the early stages of drug discovery.
It is composed of two sub-libraries:
- EIMS: this library comprises 578 diverse compounds already in stock and ready for screening. These compounds have been selected for their chemical diversity and immediate availability for testing. In addition, the physical chemical library will soon be screened on the GalanineR2 receptor (from the G protein-coupled receptor family) in collaboration with Frédéric Simonin, in order to identify new patentable ligands for this receptor and develop potential drug candidates in the fields of pain and metabolic diseases. This project will be carried out within the framework of IMS-funded projects!
- VIMS: this is a virtual library containing new compounds designed by chemists and their potential to extend pharmacophore diversity. This virtual library offers a wider range of binding motifs and enhanced drug-like characteristics thanks to the addition of various functional groups to the scaffolds present in the Eims library. It also includes a filtering process to eliminate reactive or unusual structures.
Both libraries have been created to meet the specific needs of academic research projects in terms of cost and resource efficiency. They take advantage of the expertise of organic chemists and chemoinformatics tools to maximize the efficiency of research.
Exchanges with researchers
To better understand this promising new project, we had the opportunity to talk to three chemistry teams, led by Dominique BONNET, Esther KELLENBERGER and Frédéric BIHEL.
How did the idea come about, and what were the main objectives?
The idea for the IMS library arose from a discussion between colleagues who wanted to work together, in synergy, using a common, mastered methodology.
The main objectives were to leverage the know-how of the computational and synthetic chemistry teams to benefit their medicinal chemistry projects and, more broadly, the discovery and optimization of bioactive molecules.
Which sectors or areas of research could benefit most from this library?
The sectors or areas of research that could benefit most from the IMS library are :
- Human or animal health: it can help in the discovery of new molecules with therapeutic potential, be used for diagnosis, or serve in fundamental and applied research.
- Fundamental research: it enables the discovery of new chemical tools for the study of living organisms, providing valuable resources for a better understanding of biological mechanisms.
How do you see the library evolving to meet the future needs of research in chemistry and pharmacology?
To meet the future needs of research in chemistry and pharmacology, we plan to develop the IMS library as follows:
- Screening follow-up: identify polyvalent molecules, i.e. those that interact with several biological targets, as well as molecules that show no activity in tests.
- Enrichment of the chemical library: add new original molecules synthesized in one of the three participating laboratories, thus increasing the library’s diversity and potential.
Predicting synthetic accessibility: work on predicting the synthetic feasibility of molecules generated by the computational approach, ensuring that new virtual molecules can actually be made in the laboratory.
How can external researchers access the IMS bookshop? Are there any specific conditions or criteria?
No, the bookshop is also open for collaborative projects!
What kind of collaborations or partnerships do you hope to develop through this project?
The IMS library was originally designed to serve the projects of its designers and partners.